HMS Whiting was a Palmer three funnel, 30 knot destroyer ordered by the Royal Navy under the 1896 – 1897 Naval Estimates.

[3][4] On 26 June 1897 Whiting was present at the Royal Naval Review at Spithead in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

On 17 June 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion in China, she and Fame were involved in operations against the Taku forts and Chinese destroyers.

After 30 September 1913, she was known as a C-class destroyer and had the letter ‘C’ painted on the hull below the bridge area and on either the fore or aft funnel.

[8] In August 1914 Whiting was on the disposal list but with the commencement of hostilities she remained on China Station for the duration of the First World War.